Container



Nov. 8, 1932. G. F. BEHRINGER A l 1,887gf185 CONTAINER Filed Jan. 16, 195o 3 sneetsfsheet 1 l I. lWWII WH /HvEr/Ta/v.

Nov. 8, 1932.

G. F. BEHRINGER CONTAINER Filed Jan. 16 1930 s sheets-sgg 2 Nov. 8 1932. G. F. BEHRINGER 1,387,485

CONTAINER Filed Jan. 16, 1930 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 #rra/wier Patented Nov. v8, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE GROVER F. BEHRINGER, OF DEFIANGE, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE'AMERICAN STEE PACKAGE COMPANY, OF DEFIANCE, OHIO, A CORPORATION F OHIO confirmarse,

Application led JanuarylG, 1930. Serial No. 421,299.

This invention relates to a container for materials, such as liquids and semi-liquids, more particularly to a container having an improved sealing means incorporated in the container construction in such manner that while ready access to the container is provided, return of the container to its original condition is totally eliminated; at the same time the re-use of the container for other or general purposes is not affected or destroyed. The construction therefore renders the container practical for use in shipping materials which, because of their nature, or rules and regulations governing their shipment, the consignee is insured against removal or contamination of the container contents during transportation, so that the container shall reach its destination of shipment in its original condition.

One object of the invention is to provide an improved container in which are provided illing and discharge elements, the for- Amer being substantially permanently sealed when the container is once filled and the latter being breakable or removable to permit emptying of the container, but nonreplaceable topi-event re-use of the container for the same urpose.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved container having in one wall thereof an opening sealed by an improved sealing means a portion of which may be broken or cut out to permit access to the container, thereby permanently destroying such means.

Another object of the invention is to provide for the discharge opening of a container an improved sealing means reinforced to prevent distortion or breakage due to handling or shipment, but which may be readily broken to permit access to the container or emptying thereof.

Another object of the invention is to provide for the discharge opening of a container an improved sealing means so constructed that a portion thereof concentric with the opening may be readily sheared out, whereby the opening is left free and unobstructed for emptying purposes.

Another object of the invention is to provide, in a container having a reinforced opening, an improved sealing means for the opening capable of being combined with the reinforcement in such manner that both such means and the reinforcement may be simultaneously positioned or mounted in the container wall.

Another object of the invention is to combine with the bushing for a container and .the bushing mounting an improved sealing my invention relates from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a container embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary section on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1, the tool engaging portion being broken off and separated from the body portion of the closing plug to illustrate the manner of sealing the filling opening.

Fig. 3 is a section similar to Fig. 2, but

showing the closing plug and gasket in sepa-v rated relation ready to be positioned for sealing the opening.

Fig. 4 is a section on the line 4 4 of Fig. l.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary plan view, on the line 5 5 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a plan View of the sealing means. Fig. 7 is a section on the line 7 7 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary section, similar tol a portion of Fig. 4, but showing the manner of breaking or cutting out the central portion of the sealing device.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary section similar to Fig. 4, but showing a slightly different form of construction. y

Fig. 10 is a plan view of parts shown in Fig. 9, on the line 10 l0 thereof.

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary section similar to Fig. 9, but showing the parts reversed.

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary section similar to Fig. 4, but showing another form of consponding to Figs. 9 and 12, respectively, but

showing another embodiment of the invention combined with a different form of bushinand mounting therefor.

ig. 16 is a fragmentary section similar to Fig. 15, but showing a slightly different form of construction.

Fig. 17 is a plan view of parts shown in Fig. 16, on the line 17-17 thereof.

In the drawings, 1 indicates a. container of any suitable construction and of any desired shape and size. The container shown by Way of example consists of a cylindrical body 1a and heads 1b, 10. Where these parts are formed of sheet metal, as shown in the drawings, each head 1b, 1c, is preferably seamed to the body by a double seam 2, clearly shown in Fig. 4.

The openings for filling and emptying the container 1 may be arranged in any desired location, that is, in the body 1a or. upon either head. I prefer to locate the filling opening in the side wall of the container and the emptying opening in one of its heads. In this arrangement, I provide upon the side wall or body 1a an'internally threaded bung ring or bushing 3, which may be secured to the wall 1a in any desired manner. In the construction shown, the ring 3 is anged at 3a at its outer end and the periphery of the flange is serrated; also, the metal of the wall 1a surrounds -the body portion of the ring 3 as shown at 4 and folds back on itself so as to envelope the iange 3a. The wall 1a is stretched over the Serrat-ions of the flange to insure a lookingbf the ring against turning, and the marginal portions 5 of the opening 6 through the wall la lie flat upon the end Wall of the ring 3 and its flange 3a (see Figs. 2 and 3), to form a seat for the flange 7 of a plug 8 or a suitable gasket 9 that may be interposed between the portions 5 and flange 7. The plug 8 comprises a threaded body portion 8a having the flange 7 (already referred to) and tool engaging walls 10 so connected to the body portion that when sufficient force or pressure is applied upon such Walls mutilation results,

thereby making it necessary to resort to ab-V normal means or methods of some sort to effect removal of the plug. In the preferred form of construction I provide a polygonal head connected to the body portion 8a by gree dependent upon the limit of strength.

of the neck 10 to resist the turning force applied to the head. However, by applying to the head sufficient turning force the plug will be adequately tightened and when such force is increased against the resistance of the threads to further tightening of the plug in excess of the limit of strength of the neck 10', the latter will break or twist off, as shown at X in Fig. 2, the head 10 thereby becoming detached from the body portion 8a. In this condition, the plug 8 will lack 'tool engaging walls that may be engaged to effect its removal. As the force applied to the head was utilized to adequately tighten the plug in the ring it will be seen that the plug is not only effectively locked in position but as it lacks devices or walls with which engagement may be effected to unscrew the plug, it is substantially permanently fixed and sealed in position, except by resort to some abnormal means ormethods. Danger of an unauthorized person trying to unscrew the plug or otherwise remove it, is therefore eliminated.

11 indicates a ring, such as an internally threaded bushing mounted in one head (1b) of the container. 12 indicates as an entirety means for sealing the opening through the bushing 11. I also prefer to mount in the head 1b a second ring, such as an internally threaded bushing 11erl and to provide a sealing means 12a for the opening through the ring 11a. The opening through the ring 11a after the sealing means therefor is broken, serves as a vent. As both rings or bushings and the mountings therefor and the sealing means combined therewith are identical in construction, it will be necessary to describe but one of them.

The sealing means 12 is combined with the bushing 11 and its mounting in such manner that both are secured in position by a single set of operations, namely, those required for mounting the bushing, so that aside from the cost of making the part or parts constituting the sealing means, no extra tools or opera tions and substantially no extra labor are required to secure or mount the sealing means in position. 'In this form of construction the bushing as Well as the container Walls that engage the bushing serve to prevent strains upon the sealing member; furthermore, such mounting permits of the provision, when desired, of a separate reinforcement over the entire area of the sealing device, as shown in Figs. 1, 4, 5 and 8, without changing or affecting the ease with which the sealing member may be broken or cut away to gain access to the interior of the container. According to my invention, the sealing means closes the opening through the bushing, its peripheral portion being secured between the bushing flange and the adjacent portion of the wall of the head 1b and thus seals the opening. In Figs. 1, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14, where the metal wall is folded around the bushing flange and its marginal edge lies over the outer face of the flange, the peripheral portion of the sealin means is secured between such marginal e ge and the flange; whereas in Figs. 15, 16 and 17, where the bushing extends through the container wall and its flange is seated in a pocket or recess upon one face of the container head, the peripheral portion of the sealing means is extended and folded around.

the edge of the flange to the underside thereof, so as to be secured between the flange and the metal wall.

Referring particularly to Figs. 1, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8, the bushing 11 which registers with an opening 1b through the head 1b, comprises a body portion 13 having a flange 14 at one end. The flange 14 is shaped on its edge to provide spaced portions which extend a greater distance from the axis of the bushing than the intermediate portions of the flange edge and the metal wall 1b extends to a point underneath the flange 14 and folds around the flange in interlocking relation with the spaced edge portions thereof, the marginal edge portion 15 of the metal wall surrounding the opening 1b lying over the outer face 16 of the flange. The sealing means 12 comprises a disk or round plate 12 of relatively thin metal (preferably nonresilient) having a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the bushing flange 14 and seated between the edge portion 15 and flange face 16, the clamping of these parts together serving to permanently or rigidly secure the peripheral portion of disk 12 in such position, thereby closing the opening through the bushing. The bushing 11 is threaded internally for a purpose to be later referred to.

17 indicates a reinforcement for the sealing disk or plate 12 preferably disposed in face to face relation with its inner face. The reinforcement comprises a metal disk or l round plate of heavier gage than the disk 12,

and it has a diameter greater than the diameter of the'opening through the bushing 11 but of less diameter than the opening 1b', so that it may rest on or be secured aganst the flange face 16. In this arrangement, the reinforcement stifiens the sealing device 12 within the area defined by the bushing opening to prevent it from being accidentally broken open or punched out. The reinforcement is secured to the sealing device 12 so that both may be handled as a unit and the -reinforcement properly positioned, as above set forth. The securing means preferably employed by me consist in off-setting the central portion of the sealing device, as shown at 18, a distance substantially equal to the thickness of the reinforcement 17, thereby forming a pocket therefor, and cutting the reinforcement 17 to such diameter that it will frictionally engage the side wall of the off-set;y or the side walls of the offset or pocket may be bent inwardly to a point slightly below the exposed circumferential side edge of the reinforcement 17. By preference the off-set or pocket has an external diameter slightly less than the diameter of the opening 1b. Accordingly, when positioned, such off-set or pocket fits within the opening 1b. By making the combined thickness ofthe sealing means, that is, the sealing device 12 and reinforcement 17, equal to or less than the thickness of the Wall 1b, the olf-set does not project above the surface of the marginal edge portion 15; also, the folding of the metal of the sealing device to form the Off-Settends to strengthen it.

This construction and arrangement of the parts is advantageous for the following reasons, namely, the folding of the metal of the sealing device, that is, the corner formed by the olf-set 18 and the peripheral portion of the device, forms a guide for a tool for cutting out the central portion of the sealing device; likewise, the inner edge or wall of the opening 1b forms a guide for a tool and co-op erates with the corner to insure cutting of the metal in a circular path; also, the peripheral edge of the reinforcement 17 forms a suitable cutting edge, with the result that a shearing cut lnay be made. As the reinforcement is connected to the central portion of the sealing device, it isremoved therewith, and when the sealing device is cut out, it insures that the opening through the bushing is unobstructed for emptying and for receiving a conventional plug should it be desired to use lxe container for general purposes and` the It will be noted that when the central pertion of the sealing device is cut away in whole or in part, the sealing means is permanently mutilated or distorted and it cannot be replaced or repaired. Accordingly, an unauthorized person cannot gain access to the container without leaving an indication of such access.

In mounting the bushing 11 in the head 1b, the latter is first formed with an opening and then the metal around the opening is distended to forman annular seat; the sealingmeans is positioned in the seat and then the bushing 11 is mounted on the sealing means, following which the metal is compressed or folded inwardly around the bushing flange, thus securing both the sealing Imeans and Sli bushing in position, as shown in Figs. 1, 4 and 5. When desired a gasket 19 may be first placed in the annular seat to insure a liquid tight oint.

In Figs. 9 and 10 I show a slightly diii'erent form of construction in which the reinforcement for the sealing device is omitted. In this form of construction, the sealing device 12bl comprises a flat disk or round plate of relatively thin metal. Fig. 11 shows a construction similar to that shown in Figs. 9 and 10 except that the bushings 11a, 11?), are reversed.

Figs. 12 and 13 show a construction similar to that shown in Figs. 9 and 10, except that the sealing device 120' is scored or weakened on a circumferential line, as shown at 20, to facilitate cutting or knocking out its central portion, this weakened portion being adjacent to and concentric to the side edge of the opening 1b'.

'Ihe scoring or weakening referred to consists in forming in one face of the sealing plate a groove (which may be substantially V-shaped) so that the thickness of the metal between the bottom ofthe groove and the other face of the plate is less than that between the opposite faces thereof, thereby forming a weakened portion or a weakened line that facilitates the breaking or cutting out of the central portion of the sealing plate.

Fig. 15 shows a different embodiment of the invention wherein the flange 21 at one end of the bushing is seated in a pocket and the body of the bushing extends Lthrough another seating portion or neck 22 provided on the wall of the head, the flange at the opposite end of the bushing being riveted over the free edge of the neck. as shown at 23. In this embodiment, the sealingdevice 12d comprises a relatively thin metal plate and its peripheral portion is fol-ded over or around the periphery of the iange 21 and below its under surface or face, as shown at 24. so that when the bushing is seated in position and the inner end 23 is riveted over, the sealing device is secured in position( Figs. 16 and 17 shows a form of construction similar to that shown in Fig. 15, except that the sealing device 12e is scored or weakened along a circumferential line as shown at 25 to facili,- tate cutting or knocking out the central portion of the device.

It will be understood that where the sealing device is weakened. as shown in Figs. 12, 13, 16 and 17, such weakened portion, instead of being continuous as shown, it `may consist of a series of arc-shaped scores or weakened lines.

It will be noted that I provide two openings in the head 1b of the container. so that one may be used for emptying and the other used for venting. Both openings are preferably provided with threaded rings and sealed in the same manner, so that if access to the container is attempted or attained through either opening, such act will result in .a permanent mutilation of the seal. When the container is emptied, both openings may receive conventional plugs, so that the container may be used for purposes where sealing is not required.

No claim is made herein to the construction of closing plug having tool engaging portions capable of being mutilated or broken off, since the same forms the subject matter of my co-pending application Ser. No. 394,841.

To those skilled in the art to which my invention relates many changes in construction and widely differing embodiments and applications of my invention will suggest themselves without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. My disclosures and4 the description herein are purely illustrative and are not intended to be in any sense limiting. l

What I claim is:

1. A container having an opening formed in one of its walls, a threaded bushing for said opening having a flange at one end, said wall being shaped to fit said flange and interlock therewith to prevent turning of said ring, and a sealing device for closing the opening through said bushing, said device having its peripheral portion secured between said flange and the adjacent portions of said container wall.

2. A container having an opening formed in one of its walls, a bushing having at one end an outwardly extending iiange which is engaged by and interlocked with the marginal portion of said opening to secure said bushing to the container wall, said bushing being threaded internally from end to end and'forming the opening through the container wall and adapted to receive a closure plug, and a sealing device for closing the opening through said bushing, said device having its peripheral portion secured between said fiange and the marginal portion of the opening in said container wall, and said device being weakened along a circular line concentric to the opening through said bushing.

3. A container having an opening formed in one of its walls, a bushing having at one end an outwardly extending flange which is engaged by and interlocked with the marginal portion of said opening to secure said bushing to the container Wall, said bushing being threaded internally from end to end and forming the opening through the concentric to the opening through said bushing.

4. A container having an opening formed in one of its walls, an internally threaded ring fittinginto said opening and having at one end an outwarly extending flange inter-` locked tothe marginal portion of the opening in the container wall, and a sealing de-` `vice for closing they opening through said ring, said device having its peripheral portion extended and folded over the edge of said flange and secured between the latter and said container wall. f

5. A container having an opening formed in one of its walls, a ring associated with said opening and provided at one end with an outwardly extended flange, means for sealing said opening, said means comprising a disk having its marginal portion secured between the ring flange and the wall of the container, the central portion of said disk being removable, and a removable plate parallelly associated with the disk throughout the area of the opening through said ring.

6. A container having an opening formed in one of its walls, an annular member h aving a flange, the container wall surroundlng said opening being folded over the edge of the flange and the marginal portion of the wall around said opening lying over the outer face of said iiange, whereby said member 1s secured in concentric relation to said opening, and a sealing device having its periphery secured between said marginal portion and said flange to close said opening and the opening through said member.

7 A container having an opening formed in one of its walls, an annular member having a flange, the container wall surounding said opening being folded over the edge of thel iiange and the marginal portion of the wall around said opening lying over the outer face of said flange whereby said member is secured in concentric relation to said opening,a sealing device having its periphery secured between said marginal portion and said fiange to close said opening and the opening through said member, and a plate arranged in parallel relation to said sealing device throughout the area defined by said opening.

8. A container having an opening formed in one of its walls, an annular member having a iiange, the container wall surrounding said opening being folded over the edge of the flange and the marginal portion of the wall around said opening lying over the outer face of said flange whereby said member is secured in concentrtc relation to said opening, a sealing device having its periphery secured between said marginal portion and said fiange to close said opening and the opening through said member, a reinforcement for one face of said sealing device throughout the area delined by said opening, and means for securing said reinforcement to said sealing device.

9. A container fhavingfan openingferne'envil in one of its walls, anannular memberhaving,y

a flange, the container wallsurrounding said; opening being folded over theV edge Iof Vthe flange and the marginal. poi-'tionof the wall sealing device `comprising a relatiyely y disk having its peripherylisecured betweene said marginal portion andv said 'flange tojclose said opening and the opening through-said.;

member.

10. A container having aniopeningforined 8 o,

in one of its walls, a anged ring associated with said opening, the containerw'all sur-g rounding said opening being. folded over the edge of said ring flange andthe marginal portion of the wall around said opening lying over the outer face of the flange, whereby said ring is secured in concentric relation to y said opening, and a sealing means for closing said opening, said sealing means comprising a relatively thin disk having its periphery sef cured between said marginal portion and said flange and a relatively thick plate disposed in parallel relation to said disk throughout the area defined by said opening. x

11. A container having an opening formed in one of its walls, a flanged ring associated with said opening, the container wall surrounding said opening being folded over the edge of said ring fiange and the marginal portion of the wall around said opening lying over the outer face of the fiange, whereby said ring is secured in concentric relation to said opening, and a sealing means for closing said opening, said vsealing means comprising a relatively thin disk having its periphery secured between said marginal portion and said iiange and provided with an off-set portion within the area defined by said marginal portion and a plate fitting into said off-set portion.

12. A container having an opening formed in one of its walls, a flanged ring associated with said opening, the container wall sur rounding said opening being folded over the edge of said ring flange and the marginal por-- tion of the wall around said opening lying over the outer face of the ange, whereby said ring is secured in concentric relation to said opening, and a sealing means for closing said opening, said sealing means comprising a relatively thin disk having its periphery secured between said marginal portion and said flange and provided with an ofl'fset portion within'the area defined by said marginal portion and a plate fitting into said off-set portion, the circumferential edge of said plate frictionally engaging the side walls of said off-set portion to secure said plate therein.

13. A container having an opening formed in one of its walls, a. flanged ring and a sealing device associated with said opening,thel

wall of the container surrounding said opening being folded over the edge of said ring flange and lying over the outer face of the flange and also engaging the marginal portions of said sealing device, whereby said ring `and sealing device are secured in concentric relation to said opening, and said sealing device closes the latter, the central portion of said device being olf-set and adapted to be removed to permit access to the container through said opening.

'14. A container having an opening formed in one of its walls, a flanged ring and a seal- 15. A container having an opening formed 1n one of its walls, a ring having a flange, the

marginal portions of said wall surrounding the o ening being shaped to fit said flange and inter ock therewith to prevent turning of the ring relative to said wall, al member engaging one circumferential end of said ring to close the opening therethrough, the marginal portions of said member being secured in s'ealed relation between said ring flange and the adjacent portions of said wall, and that portion of said member within the circumference of said ring being adapted to be removed.

16. A container having an opening formed in one of its walls, a ring concentrically related to said opening and having a flange at one end, the wall surrounding said opening being shaped to lit said flange. and interlock therewith to prevent turning of the ring relative to said wall, and a sealing member enclosing one end of said ring to close the opening therethrough and having its marginal portion `folded around the periphery of said flange and between it and the adjacent portions of said wall, that portion of said member within the circumference of said ring being adapted to be removed.

17. A container having an opening formed in one of its walls, a ring concentrically related to said Opening and having a flange at one end, the wall surrounding said opening being shaped to fit said flange and interlock therewith'to prevent turning of the ring relative to said wall, and a sealing member enclosing the flanged end of said ring to close the .opening therethrough, the marginal portion of said member extending around the periphery of said flange and secured between it and the adjacent portion of said wall, that portion of said member within the circumference of said ring being adapted to be removed.

18. A container having an opening formed in one of its walls, a ring concentrically related to said opening and having a flange at one end, the wall surrounding said opening being shaped to fit said flange and interlock therewith to prevent turning of the ring relative to said wall, and a sealing member enclosing one end of-said ring to close the opening therethrough and having its marginal portion folded around the periphery of said flange and between it and the adjacent portions of said wall, the closing wall of said member being weakened on a circular line to permit removal of the portion within said 19. A container having an opening formed in one of its walls, ay ring concentrically related to said opening and-having a flange at one end, the wall surrounding said opening being shaped to t said flange and interlock therewith to prevent turning of the ring re1- ative to said wall, and a sealing member engaging the flanged end of said ring to close the opening therethrough, the marginal portion of said member being secured between said flange and the adjacent portion of said wall, the closing wall of said member being weakened along a circular line disposed between the inner wall of said ring and theperiphery of said flange.

20. A container having an opening formed in one of its walls, a ring concentrically related to said opening and having allange at being shaped to lit said flange and interlock therewith `to prevent turning of the ring relative to said wall, and a sealing member having a bottom closing the opening through said ring and side walls, said side walls being extended and disposed between said flange and the adjacent portions of said wall and that portion of the bottom within the circumference of said ring being adapted to be removed.

21. A container having a filling opening and an emptying opening, means for substantially permanently closing said filling opening, a pair of related members disposed concentrically'to said emptying opening, one of said members comprising a ring having a flange and the other member having a wall engaging one end of said ring and closing the opening therethrough and marginal portions engaging one face of said flange, the metal of the wall surrounding said emptying opening being nterlocked to said flange and having portions securinfr said marginal portions of said closing member to said flange.

22. A container having an opening formed in one of its walls, an internally threaded ringfitting into said opening and having flanges at its opposite ends, said wall being one end, the wall surrounding said opening distended to form seat portions for said ring and one of its fianges, one of said flanges being interlocked to the Walls of its seat portion to prevent turning of said ring andthe other ange being riveted over the edge of the other seat portion to secure the ring therein, and a sealing device for closing the opening through said ring,'said sealing device having its peripheral portion'extended and folded around the circumferential edge v of one of said ianges and secured between it and the adjacent seat portion.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto aixed my signature. v a

GROVER F. BEHRINGER. 

